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Stories of Canada’s History earn national award for 26 students, including Kirsten Rowe of Ajax

Ajax student Kirsten Rowe, from Southwood Park Public School, is the recipient of the 2015 Young Citizens Award. Kirsten and twenty-five other young Canadians are recipient of this year’s award which is presented annually by Canada’s History Society. The students, aged 10 to 15, have won a trip to Ottawa to participate in the Canada’s History Youth Forum.

During the last school year, more than 55,000 students researched stories of Canadian heroes, legends and key events, and presented the results at heritage fairs across the country. Canada’s History identified students with the best projects and encouraged them to record a short video showcasing the research in Canada’s past.

“The Young Citizens program encourages Canadian youth to explore the stories of Canada’s history from the perspectives of their own hometown, province and country,” says Janet Walker, Canada’s History President & CEO. “The 26 student winners exemplify the passion of Canada’s youth who are actively discovering their past and its significance to their lives today.”

Some 170 videos were posted online and reviewed by a panel of judges for a chance to win a trip to Ottawa to attend Canada’s History Youth Forum. The judges decided half of the students’ scores, while online voting made up the other half. Two winners were selected from each province and territory.

Topics of the winning videos included Chinese immigration to Canada, the music of New France, and a Nova Scotia privateer.

The Young Citizens program is generously supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Youth Take Charge Program, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Table on Culture and Heritage.

Click here to view Kirsten’s award winning video on the James Bay Treaty.